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Three Rings

The Three Rings were magical artefacts, three of the Rings of Power. They were forged by Celebrimbor and his smiths with the desire of "understanding, making, and healing" and granted the power to preserve all things unstained.[1][2] They were named Vilya, Narya, and Nenya after the principal elements of air, fire, and water (respectively).

Whereas the other Rings of Power gave the power to control and conquer, and made their wearers invisible, the Three were different. Sauron did not assist to their making nor ever did he touch them and his taint was not direct on them.[3] But as they were created according to the craft taught by him, they would be dependant under the power of the One Ring.[4]

Vilya, The Ring of Air and mightiest of the Three, gold with a sapphire stone; originally worn by Gil-galad but given to Elrond.

The Rings were named after the three principal elements, each matching the color of their stones. Their names also match the fates of the three Silmarils.[note 1][6][7] However not much is known about their specific powers and whether they had anything to do with each element.[8]

In lore, it was said that the Three were for some unspecified "Elven-kings under the sky"[9] although in practice Gil-galad was the only Elven-king who ever held any of the Three.

After "Annatar" taught and assisted the Gwaith-i-Mirdain with creating the Rings of Power, he left Eregion. Celebrimbor's smiths proceeded then to forge Three more on their own with the knowledge already gained from him. Their forging was completed by around S.A.1590.[10] Annatar didn't learn about them, and they were "unsullied", free from Sauron's corrupting influence.

When Sauron created the One Ring, the Elves who wore the Rings of Power heard his voice and realized they had been deceived.[4] Celebrimbor then sent his three rings away for safekeeping: He gave Nenya to Galadriel in Lothlórien, who advised him to send the other two west away from Sauron, so he gave Vilya and Narya to High KingGil-galad in Lindon.

As the Elves failed him, Sauron waged war against Eregion and succeeded in claiming the Rings of Power. But the Three remained outside his grasp and their whereabouts were seldom revealed.

During the War of the RingFrodo Baggins found out that Galadriel held Nenya, using it to preserve Lothlórien from withering, and Aragorn reprimanded him for revealing this. The other two rings were revealed at the end of the Third Age, after Frodo destroyed the One Ring, and the Dark Lord Sauron was completely overthrown. It transpired that Elrond had wielded Vilya and presumably used its powers to keep Rivendell a haven safe from attack. It was Gandalf who wielded Narya, given to him by Círdan.[12]

In the introduction of the movie, the Three Rings are said to be made "for the tall Elf Kings" as three unidentified silhouettes are seen holding and lifting the Rings. It is not mentioned who those Elf Kings were (only Gil-galad is mentioned in the book).

In the prologue to the first film, the Three Rings are show briefly being borne by Galadriel, Gil-galad and Círdan; later in the film Galadriel reveals to Frodo that she possesses Nenya. In the final film, although Gandalf can be seen wearing Narya its significance is never stated.